Templating the 3D structure of conducting polymers with self-assembling peptides.

Self-assembly of a tetrapeptide covalently attached to a thiophene-based monomer produced a gel with a fibrous, porous structure. Conditions were identified in which the thiophene end groups could undergo polymerization while retaining the 3D structure, resulting in the formation of nanofibrous gels with conductivities averaging 10-4 S cm-1.

Orthotopic neobladder perforation: an unusual presentation of small bowel obstruction.

Orthotopic bladder reconstruction is becoming increasingly popular in patients who have undergone radical cystectomy. One of the rare complications is spontaneous rupture, which presents with various symptoms, but in particular, abdominal pain. We report a case of orthotopic bladder perforation in a patient who presented with the symptoms and signs of small bowel obstruction.

Management of renal tumors by image-guided radiofrequency ablation: experience in 105 tumors.

AIMS: In this article we present our experience with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of 105 renal tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RFA was performed on 105 renal tumors in 97 patients, with a mean tumor size of 32 mm (11-68 mm). The mean patient age was 71.7 years (range, 36-89 years). The ablations were carried out under ultrasound (n = 43) or CT (n = 62) guidance. Imaging follow-up was by contrast-enhanced CT within 10 days and then at 6-monthly intervals. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine variables associated with procedural outcome. RESULTS: Eighty-three tumors were completely treated at a single sitting (79%). Twelve of the remaining tumors were successfully re-treated and a clinical decision was made not to re-treat seven patients. A patient with a small residual crescent of tumor is under follow-up and may require further treatment. In another patient, re-treatment was abandoned due to complicating pneumothorax and difficult access. One patient is awaiting further re-treatment. The overall technical success rate was 90.5%. Multivariate analysis revealed tumor size to be the only significant variable affecting procedural outcome. (p = 0.007, Pearson chi(2)) Five patients had complications. There have been no local recurrences. CONCLUSION: Our experience to date suggests that RFA is a safe and effective, minimally invasive treatment for small renal tumors.

Early experience with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of small solid renal masses.

OBJECTIVE: Incidental small renal-cell masses are often seen in elderly patients with significant comorbidity who are unfit to undergo major surgery. This study was conducted to determine the safety and efficacy of percutaneous imaging-guided radiofrequency ablation in the management of small solid renal masses, almost all of which are renal cell cancers. CONCLUSION: Early experience suggests that radiofrequency ablation is a safe, well-tolerated, and minimally invasive therapy for patients with solid renal masses. In the era of nephron-sparing surgery, radiofrequency ablation may have a role in the management of small problematic renal masses.

La función de los receptores cannabinoides1 centrales y periféricos en la actividad antihiperalgésica de los cannabinoides en un modelo de dolor neuropático / The role of central and peripheral cannabinoid1 receptors in the antihyperalgesic activity of cannabinoids in a model of neuropathic pain

Se examinaron los efectos de los agonistas cannabinoides en la hiperalgesia en un modelo de dolor neuro p á t i c o en la rata y se investigaron los posibles sitios de acción. Se comparó la actividad antihiperalgésica de los cannabinoides con su capacidad de provocar efectos en la conducta característicos de la actividad cannabinoide central.WIN55,212-2 (0,3-10 mg.kg- 1), CP-55,940 (0,03-1 mg.kg-1) y HU-210 (0,001-0,03 mg.kg- 1) fueron todos ellos activos en una "tétrada" de pruebas consistentes en movimiento de la cola, catalepsia, rodillo giratorio e hipotermia después de su administración subcutánea, con una jerarquía de potencias en todas ellas de HU-210 > CP-55,940 > WIN55,212-2. Los efectos de WIN55,212-2 en sendas pruebas fueron bloqueados por el antagonista cannabinoid e1 ( C B1) SR141716A. En el modelo de dolor neuro pático por ligadura parcial del nervio ciático, WIN55,212-2, CP55,940 y HU-210 produjeron una reversión completa de la hiperalgesia mecánica en las 3 horas siguientes a su administración subcutánea, con valores D5 0 de 0,52, 0,08 y 0,005 mg.kg- 1, respectivamente. En este modelo, WIN55,212-2 fue también eficaz frente a la hiperalgesia térmica y la alodinia mecánica. WIN55,212-2 produjo una marcada reversión de la hiperalgesia mecánica después de su administración intratecal, un efecto bloqueado por el antagonista CB1 SR141716A. Tras su administración intraplantar en la pata trasera ipsilateral, WIN55,212-2 revirtió hasta en un 70 por ciento la hipealgesia mecánica, aunque también se observó actividad con dosis altas tras su inyección en la pata contralateral. El efecto antihiperalgésico de WIN55,212-2 inyectado en la pata ipsilateral se bloqueó con la administración subcutánea de SR141716A, pero no se vio afectado por la administración intratecal de ese compuesto. Estos datos indican que los cannabinoides son unos agentes antihiperalgésicos muy potentes y eficaces en un modelo de dolor neuropático, una actividad que probablemente éste mediada por su acción tanto en el SNC como en la periferia (AU)